ETUC Statement on the situation in the Gaza Strip

ETUC Statement on the situation in the Gaza Strip

The ETUC expresses its grave concerns at the unconscionable humanitarian situation in Gaza. The ETUC calls for immediate and effective EU and international initiatives to alleviate the intolerable humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip against the background of the blockade enacted by the government of Israel.
Document Published on 12.05.2025
ETUC on the Passing of Pope Francis

ETUC on the Passing of Pope Francis

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is saddened by the passing of Pope Francis, a global voice for dignity, justice, and solidarity. His unwavering support for workers' rights, fair wages, and social justice inspired millions and resonated deeply with our trade union mission. 
Document Published on 21.04.2025
ETUC letter to US Mission Chargé d'Affaires Scharpf

ETUC letter to US Mission Chargé d'Affaires Scharpf

Urgent message from the ETUC regarding the US Government letter “Certification regarding compliance with applicable federal anti-discrimination law” Dear Mr Norman Thatcher Scharpf, I am contacting you to ask for a meeting as a matter of urgency, to discuss the recent letter issued by the US to companies in Europe who have contracts with the US government. The letter requires companies to "not operate any programs promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws”.
Document Published on 01.04.2025
ETUC letter to Kallas on detention of Istanbul Mayor

ETUC letter to Kallas on detention of Istanbul Mayor

ETUC letter following the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu  Sent by e-mail to Ms Kaja Kallas High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission. Dear High Representative Kallas,  We would like to express our deepest concern about the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu - along with approximately 106 other municipal officials, as well as more than 1.000 people protesting.
Document Published on 01.04.2025
ETUC calls for adequate financing and responsible simplification in the Clean Industrial Deal

ETUC calls for adequate financing and responsible simplification in the Clean Industrial Deal

Dear Environment Council Ministers, In advance of your meeting on 27 March to discuss the environmental dimension of the Clean Industrial Deal (CID), the European Trade Union Confederation urges you to seriously address two key issues: profound financial shortcomings and misguided deregulation. The CID marks a valuable first step, notably through its inclusion of social conditionalities linked to collective bargaining and demand-side measures, though these commitments need to be transformed into concrete commitments.
Document Published on 26.03.2025
  • Joint European Trade Union Statement on the Omnibus Proposal: A Direct Attack on Workers’ Rights and Corporate Accountability
    ETUC-ETUFs

    Joint European Trade Union Statement on the Omnibus Proposal: A Direct Attack on Workers’ Rights and Corporate Accountability

    The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and the European Trade Union Federations (ETUFs) jointly condemn the European Commission’s Omnibus proposal, which constitutes a direct assault on corporate accountability, workers’ and trade union rights, and environmental protections. The European Parliament must reject this disastrous package and ensure that the core objectives of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) as well as the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D) and the protections provided therein are safeguarded from this deregulation agenda.
    Document Published on 25.03.2025
  • Statement on Savings and Investments Union / Capital Markets Union

    Statement on Savings and Investments Union / Capital Markets Union

    Statement on Savings and Investments Union / Capital Markets Union Adopted at the Executive Committee meeting of 04-05 March 2025   What can the trade unions expect from the Savings and Investments Union (CMU) ?
    Document Published on 07.03.2025
  • ETUC letter in view of the European Council meeting on 6 March
    Reception hall at the European Council ahead of 6 March meeting

    ETUC letter in view of the European Council meeting on 6 March

    Esther Lynch has written to António Costa, President of the European Council and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, ahead of the 6 March to reiterate the ETUC's call for the EU and governments to increase their efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace to be delivered together with Ukraine, and underscore the need for support for international law based on multilateralism and a stronger role for the E
    Document Published on 05.03.2025
  • Letter to ver.di Munich in response to attack on rally

    Letter to ver.di Munich in response to attack on rally

    ETUC General Secretary has extended the condolences and solidarity of the ETUC to ver.di Munich, following an attack on a rally they held earlier today.
    Document Published on 13.02.2025
  • Statement on Belarus
    Stand with Belarus

    Statement on Belarus

    We welcome European Parliament resolution and reiterate that free trade unions are the cornerstone of democracy.
    Document Published on 21.01.2025
  • Statement by the ETUC and the CCSCS regarding the possible conclusion of negotiations on the EU-MERCOSUR Association Agreement
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    Statement by the ETUC and the CCSCS regarding the possible conclusion of negotiations on the EU-MERCOSUR Association Agreement

    Statement by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and the Coordinadora de Centrales Sindicales del Cono Sur (CCSCS) regarding the possible conclusion of negotiations on the EU-MERCOSUR Association Agreement  
    Document Published on 07.11.2024
  • Social Partners call for better involvement in Economic Governance

    Social Partners call for better involvement in Economic Governance

    Joint statement by the ETUC, SGI Europe and SME United, calling for a factual and material involvement of social partners in the economic governance and the EU Semester The REGULATION (EU) 2024/1263 of 29 April 2024 on the effective coordination of economic policies and on multilateral budgetary surveillance states that the involvement of social partners, among other relevant stakeholders, in the European Semester is key to ensuring national ownership of economic and fiscal policies as well as transparent and inclusive policy-making.
    Document Published on 22.10.2024
  • Letter from the European Trade Union Confederation following the announcement of the proposed college of Commissioners

    Letter from the European Trade Union Confederation following the announcement of the proposed college of Commissioners

    Dear Commission President Ursula von der Leyen,I am contacting you following the announcement of the list of Commissioners designate and the publication of their proposed portfolios and mission letters. The European Trade Union Confederation is very concerned that – for the first time since the Seventies – there is not a member of the college of Commissioners whose title refers specifically to Labour and Social Affairs (or to “Jobs and Social Rights”).
    Document Published on 27.09.2024
  • Message of the ETUC in view of the mobilisation of the Italian trade unions on the ‘DDL Sicurezza’

    Message of the ETUC in view of the mobilisation of the Italian trade unions on the ‘DDL Sicurezza’

    The European trade union movement expresses its deep concerns and opposition to the Italian Government’s plans to restrict the right to peaceful protest, a pillar of any democratic society. Article 12 of the European Union’s Charter of Fundamental Rights states clearly that “everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly”. The Italian Government’s plans to criminalise dissent would clearly be a violation of the Charter, as well as Italy’s own Constitution.
    Document Published on 25.09.2024
  • Statement: Labour delivers important first step to protecting right to strike
    Labour delivers important first step to protecting right to strike

    Statement: Labour delivers important first step to protecting right to strike

    The ETUC congratulates the TUC and their affiliated trade unions on an important union victory for workers in Britain and throughout Europe. We welcome the commitment by the UK government that the anti-worker anti-strike Minimum Service Levels legislation will be repealed through the upcoming Employment Rights Bill. This legislation represented an attack on the ability of workers to win a decent, secure and dignified working life.
    Document Published on 09.08.2024
  • Open letter to European Council on the Strategic Agenda 2024-2029
    European Council

    Open letter to European Council on the Strategic Agenda 2024-2029

    Dear President Michel, I am contacting you regarding the ongoing discussions on the EU Strategic Agenda 2024-2029 and in view of the European Council meeting on 27/28 June. The ETUC is concerned that – according to the information received – the draft of the Strategic Agenda still does not include the necessary focus on the improvement of the situation for working people, their families and communities.
    Document Published on 22.06.2024
  • Voting for Europe: Securing a bright future, together
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    Voting for Europe: Securing a bright future, together

    At time of geopolitical crisis, it is even more important to support and strengthen European democracy. This is why the European social partners – ETUC, BusinessEurope, SGI Europe and SMEunited – are calling on those who are eligible to vote in the upcoming European elections to make their voices heard.  As representatives of trade unions and employers across Europe, we are united in our belief that participation in these elections is not just about electing policymakers; it is about securing a bright future for all and addressing the key challenges of our time. 
    Document Published on 23.05.2024
  • Urgent need to support just transition ambition in Environment Council Conclusions
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    Urgent need to support just transition ambition in Environment Council Conclusions

    Dear Environment and Labour Ministers,In conjunction with the European Trade Union Confederation, we, the undersigned, serving as Presidents and General Secretaries of Trade Unions from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), are compelled to underscore the importance of safeguarding just transition initiatives deliberated within the Environment Council Conclusions.
    Document Published on 17.05.2024
  • Joint EU Trade Union statement toward the Council negotiation on the revision of the European Works Council Directive

    Joint EU Trade Union statement toward the Council negotiation on the revision of the European Works Council Directive

    The revision of the European Works Council Directive was proposed by the European Commission at the request of the European Parliament. Regrettably, the European employers' organisations do not seem to appreciate this democratic practice. There is no other way to understand the public statement published on 22 March by Business Europe, Hotrec, EuroCommerce, European Banking Federation, ECEG and CEEMET and sent to the Employment Committee of the European Parliament and the Council.
    Document Published on 07.05.2024
  • Joint ETUC/CCSCS letter to MERCOSUR negotiators
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    Joint ETUC/CCSCS letter to MERCOSUR negotiators

      Brussels, 11 March 2024  Letter sent to  Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice President of the European Commission     Dear Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis
    Document Published on 11.03.2024